“Casey, inside now,” Lando commanded harshly.
“No! He cannot have Wolf. I should have stayed silent; I should have let him kill me. I never should have brought him back.” Casey spun around, facing Tyr. “Is that what you planned? You counted on me being so terrified I would tell you Wolf would come so you could kill him? I won't let you have him. I will die first!” she raged. She would have thrown herself at Tyr, but Lando now held her tightly.
“I can see that,” Tyr said. He still stood unmoving, with his arms splayed in a nonthreatening gesture.
Casey's pain and terror overwhelmed her. She was madly in love with Wolf; she could not allow any harm to come to him because of her. Tyr ventured closer, although Lando's gun remained drawn.
“All I want is Wolf,” Tyr explained.
Casey whimpered, now certain she had been right. She had led him straight to Wolf, as he no doubt had planned all along. She looked up at Lando. What was she to do?
They all turned to see a car race down the road towards them and slide to a wild stop. Wolf was out and running before the dust could settle.
“No, Wolf, run!” Casey screamed, terrified. She jerked herself from Lando's grasp, positioning herself between Tyr and Wolf. But Wolf did not slow until Casey was in his arms. She heard the pounding of his heartbeat as he held her to himself, his apparent relief overwhelming as he crushed her to his chest, lifting her off her feet.
“Run, Wolf, please,” Casey whimpered up at him, certain Tyr was going to kill him.
“No, Casey, I won't run. Are you hurt?” Wolf asked, setting her down, cupping her face.
“I was so frightened. He scared Christy and Logan so badly. He did something to Sam. He threw me in his car and took me away. I thought David had sent him after me, but he wants you, he says it's you he needs to see,” Casey sobbed, pulling him close, all the while begging Lando to keep him safe from harm.
“It's all right now, Casey, I've stopped David,” Wolf said. “No one will ever hurt you again.” Then settling his ferocious look onto Tyr, he snapped in outrage, “What the hell did you do to her?”
“I was told you were killed because of her,” Tyr said in his defense, seeing Wolf's enraged, scowling, dark look.
“Wolf,” Casey wept, “I'm so sorry. You were right, it's my fault he came back here. I cried for you. I begged for you to come. I thought I was going to die and I wanted you to somehow know...I said I loved you, I said I needed you. I won't ever be used against you again, I swear. Please don't hate me. Oh please, don't ever hate me, Wolf.”
Casey clutched at him, knowing she would never again be able to hear his comforting words. His promise had been fulfilled, he was free of her. He had kept his word to keep her safe; she would keep her word to herself keeping him safe. She would let him go.
Casey released him; she offered him an agonized look and walked, head bowed, into the chalet. She did not hide; as Lando had commanded, yet lowered herself down to sit beside Sam, who was groggily trying to stand. She pulled the wolf close and offered him the comforting words she herself needed to hear. Her tears dried. She had shed too many. She knew Lando would allow no harm to come to Wolf. She also knew Wolf would still allow no harm to come to her.
“What the hell do you think you're doing, scaring my family and her like that?” Lando raged, advancing on Tyr now that Casey was gone. Tyr faced him without concern.
“It's all right, Lando, Tyr is my brother,” Wolf confessed, stepping between the two.
Lando stood with his mouth agape. Wolf knew he'd surprised him; Lando had known of Tyr and his reputation, but couldn't have known they were brothers. Reluctantly, Lando holstered his weapon.
“An explanation had better be quickly forthcoming,” Lando demanded with great annoyance.
Wolf walked towards Tyr. He noted the blood on his forehead. “I see you and Casey were intimately acquainted,” Wolf said.
“She nailed me with a rock,” Tyr said.
Wolf was angry. He knew Casey only struck out in terror. “You frightened her,” he accused.
“Yes, I did,” Tyr admitted. He looked at Wolf so longingly and contritely his brother relented, and they clasped one another tightly.
“Why did you come?” Wolf asked.
“When I had been told of your death...” Tyr began.
“Why did you think I was dead?” Wolf questioned.
“I keep tabs on you. I heard your boat went down. I found other survivors. A red-haired woman said she felt certain she had seen Casey swimming from the yacht, but because of her, you had been locked up and left to die. That you went down without being given a chance to save yourself. The woman had cried that even though you accosted the woman, no one should ever be left to die like that, all alone, without any chance for survival.
“I tracked David down. He had told me why you were sent. He told me about Abby. I had to find out, Wolf. David said she murdered his daughter. Right away I knew why you went after her. After one glance at the innocent eight-year-old girl in her father's arms I was enraged; I could only imagine what you had been feeling. I couldn't stand knowing you had died because of someone who slaughtered helpless children; it would be like losing Rhea all over again as well as you. I would be all alone because of her,” Tyr explained.
“What did you do to her?” Wolf asked.
“I didn't hurt her physically, Wolf, I swear. But there was a lake where I took her. David had explained her fear... I wanted answers; I wanted to make her tell the truth. She knew what I intended,” Tyr said.
“Oh God,” Wolf said, shuddering. She must have been terrified out of her mind; it was Casey's worst nightmare.
Wolf turned and raced into the chalet.
When Wolf entered, he could see Casey curled on the floor with Sam's head in her lap. She was humming softly to the animal, stroking his head.
“Casey?” he questioned.
Casey looked up at him. Wolf looked at her, relieved when she gazed on him with recognition. Her mind was not gone from fear.
“I love you, Wolf,” Casey admitted; her words were broken by the deep emotion she was feeling. “I love you so much I need to go away from you. I won't be used against you to help another find you. You are right, we're not so different. We live, because you allowed me to; we laugh, because you helped me to; we die, because I am dying inside right now. Will you hold me, please?”
Wolf removed Sam's head from her lap and pulled her close. He clung to her. The last one who had said she loved him had been Rhea, right before she died. Before the man had come and stolen her life. Rhea had gone away forever after. Now Casey wanted to go away. He couldn't let her go. He loved her.
“Don't go away, Casey,” Wolf begged.
“I told, Wolf, when you said not to. My fault.” She wept, holding him, sobbing into his shoulder.
“No, Casey, my fault. I promised. Tyr will never hurt you. He is my brother. I haven't seen him in years. I was aware he questioned my whereabouts regularly. I should have been there for him too, but I wasn't. Please, sweetheart, give me a chance. I have to stop letting down the people I love,” Wolf told her, agonized.
“What are you saying?” Casey asked, gripping him closer still.
“I'm saying I love you. I'm saying I want to try. I want to be with you, I need to be with you. You know who and what I am. Do you love me enough to try anyway?”
Casey considered what he was saying. He would not give up his profession, he couldn't. He needed to stop people like the one who murdered his sister. Could she stand it? Casey loved him. Right or wrong, who was she to judge? She needed him too. With gratitude she realized he loved her, he had said so. This time there were no angles, nothing else to turn his head. He didn't need her money. It was her he wanted, only her.
“I need you, Wolf,” she whispered.
“I need you, too, Casey,” Wolf said. Wolf captured her mouth next to his. His kiss, though gentle, branded them together.
Lando and Tyr had been watching the
two holding one another from the doorway. They had heard the exchange. Tyr was gratified. He had thought his brother's heart had been shattered permanently. On that terrible day so long ago, Wolf had returned different, as though he had died but his body still lived. When Rhea died she took part of Wolf with her. He stopped laughing, he stopped caring, and he stopped living, in a sense.
Tyr owed this woman a great deal, Wolf could feel again. Tyr could see how he was looking at her. He hoped she would forgive him so that he could become part of their lives. He turned to look at Lando, his eyes moist from emotion. Lando's huge fist suddenly smashed into Tyr's face, felling him like a stone. Tyr sank to the ground without a sound. Casey looked up, astonished as did Wolf.
“He scared the crap out of Christy, Casey and my son. What did you expect, roses?” Lando said gruffly. He stalked off to retrieve his wife and child.
Casey looked at Wolf, watching for his reaction. Wolf just shrugged. “Saves me from doing it,” he replied. He once again cuddled Casey closer.
[Back to Table of Contents]
* * *
Chapter Twenty
* * * *
Casey stood saying a tearful goodbye to Christy and Logan. She held them tightly, weeping as openly as Christy was. Logan seemed to know something was happening and he had to be disengaged from Casey's hair. Sam's head pressed against her leg and huge solemn eyes looked up at her woefully.
“Please visit,” Christy implored her.
“As often as Wolf allows me to,” Casey promised.
Casey then threw herself into Lando's waiting arms. She felt she would miss him the most. This huge bear of a man who had helped her emotionally as well as physically. “Thank you, Lando. Thank you so much,” she whispered.
Lando held her clasped to him. Casey understood she was the first woman in his life who had never wanted or expected anything from him, not help, not love, not money, nothing. All she sought had been friendship. Lando had been right, men did not do feelings well.
“Take care, sweetheart. If you need me—” he began gruffly.
“I already did and you were there,” Casey told him fondly, snuffling.
Lando kissed her forehead, then just gazed down at her. Casey gazed back just as earnestly, imprinting his image in her mind. Though happy they were friends, Wolf was once again fidgeting with jealousy, to his own great annoyance.
Seeing the look that crossed over Wolf's face, Lando chuckled at him. He released Casey and gripped Wolf's hand in a firm embrace. He leaned in and whispered, “Relax, buddy, the uncomfortable feeling lessens as your insecurity dissolves.” Wolf turned bright red.
Tyr stood off to the side, sporting a black eye. Christy still watched him warily from behind Lando. When Tyr had awoken, he had been surprised to see Casey perched beside him while he lay on a couch. She held a cold cloth up to his sore, swelling eye and dabbed at it carefully.
Tyr watched her, knowing she was struggling with her fear. He had frightened her terribly, even more so than Christy. Poor little Christy could hardly even look at him. Tyr was amazed Casey would even sit this close to him. Her hands were trembling and Wolf hovered close by.
Tyr lay quietly, letting her make her own decision. It was impossible for him to disguise the overwhelming hope that radiated from his forlorn eyes, desperately seeking her acceptance. Casey seemed to sum him up critically. To his surprise and elation, she had suddenly held out a shaky hand to him.
“My name is Casey and I'm in love with your big brother.”
Gratefully, Tyr gripped her hand, and holding it gently replied, “I'm Tyr, Wolf's very sorry younger brother.”
Casey had accepted his apology, much to Wolf's relief. He didn't want Casey curled in a corner, terrified, every time Tyr came to visit. His brother would not have been welcome. That thought had saddened Wolf. He knew how anxiously his brother wanted to become part of his life once more.
“We need to go, Casey,” Wolf said.
Though Casey had accepted his brother, Lando had not. Christy had sobbed throughout the night; disturbing, haunting memories from her past had once more resurfaced about angry men without mercy. Lando remained angry at the distress Tyr had caused his family and Casey. They had graciously permitted him to spend the night.
When morning had come, Christy still battled her overwhelming fear of Tyr. Bruising on her upper arms where Tyr had held her was prominent. She limped from kicking so hard at his solid shins. Christy had been too injured in the past by men not to be fearful. She did not possess Casey's inner strength. Wolf had taken Christy aside and told her how sorry he was she had been frightened and injured. Christy had held him tight and told him to come and visit with Casey soon, without Tyr.
“I will miss you,” Casey said tearfully to the trio.
Wolf led her to the car and settled her into the passenger side. Tyr would be following them to the airport in his own vehicle. Casey waved to them as long as they remained in her sight. She then curled up as closely to Wolf as she was able and sobbed.
“We'll visit them, Casey. I promise. I think it's time we got you that speedy divorce,” Wolf soothed.
“Oh, no more planes,” Casey whined.
Wolf just chuckled. “Listen, sweetheart, you have your identity back. Only one small plane, then first class, I swear,” Wolf promised.
Casey sat up, swiping at red-rimmed eyes, she sniffed. “No more Roll?”
“No more Roll.”
“Wolf, does Roll really...?”
“Never mind, sweetheart. Some things you are best not knowing, for your own safety and peace of mind.”
Casey shuddered. Wolf placed a gentle hand on her knee.
“Casey, we will need to talk a lot about this. Sometimes I will need to go away, but Tyr will stay with you. Your life will change. You will need to be watched and kept safe from harm. Are you afraid?” Wolf asked.
“Of what, being killed by an exploding car?” Casey replied.
“I won't fail you,” Wolf said.
“I won't ask what you can't answer. But it may take me awhile to learn which questions are taboo. But, Wolf, I want children. I need that in my life. Can you accept that?”
Wolf wondered about that. Keeping Casey safe alone would take a great deal of effort, but to involve a child... Wolf thought about his own childhood before Rhea was murdered. He had loved his family and their life together. He had always known there was something special about his circumstances.
Wolf and his siblings had always been closely guarded; his father was extremely protective. The pond he had been at that fateful day had been considered safe; they had been to it numerous times over the years without incident. It had been close to home, right in their own backyard, really. Rhea had not even been killed by an assassin, but some deranged convict who had escaped from prison. Seeking to hide his identity, he had thought to silence the two children who had spied him.
Wolf had been happy in his first years; they had all been happy. Perhaps with Tyr's help and added protection he could once more obtain the family he had lost so tragically. Wolf remembered other ‘uncles’ and even ‘aunts’ who had stayed with his mother when his father needed to be away for any length of time. He had learned at a young age to obey his elders without hesitation.
Being precocious, he understood his life depended on his obedience. His father had stressed that to him in the gentlest of ways. Wolf had taken it upon himself and had made certain Rhea had listened to him. She had been so naive, so young and unaware of dangers. He watched out for her, feeling it his duty to keep her and his baby brother safe from harm.
One of Wolf's greatest fears was that Rhea had not run, that she had wanted to protect him. The disturbing thought caused him a deep agony. He would have died for her. He wondered if she had died for him.
“Wolf?” Casey said softly.
Wolf had been lost in thought. He could see the deep worry etched around her wary eyes; she was waiting for his answer.
“Let's just say I'm not
necessarily opposed to a child,” Wolf said.
Casey smiled at him. “I realize all of this is coming at you quickly. While you adjust I will too. Wolf?”
“Yes?” Wolf could see the hesitance on her face and he waited while she collected her thoughts.
“After I say this I will not ask again or interfere. But I want you to promise me something. I want you to promise me whenever you go to...'work', you will make absolutely certain of the facts. I was so frightened of you. If you had killed me you would have killed an innocent. I think you would grieve, no matter what you claim. I think because of your sister you would have let it eat you up inside, knowing the terror you caused someone who had never committed a crime.”
Wolf sat thoughtfully for a moment. He decided she was right. He would think about it first. That alone might keep him from being beamed over the head again by another distraught and desperate innocent.
“I swear, Casey, I will know every one of the facts from now on. I will not let anger or revenge rule me ever again.”
“After my divorce, where will we go?”
“I have a safe home I will take you to. I want you to close up all of your accounts. I need you to sell everything and cut any ties you have. Can you do that for me?” Wolf asked, watching her closely.
“Yes. I will do anything for you.”
“I will have to change your name, Casey. I'm going to completely erase your previous existence. I will make it appear as though you dropped off the face of the earth. I know I threatened David, yet I won't take a chance with your life. He could change his mind. He might also be finding someone who will help him disappear so that he can send someone after you and remain undetected. Don't be afraid, you will be safe. You will always exist to me.”
Casey shuddered, her head bowed. “I understand why you wanted to kill David. You think David will always be hanging over our heads. But I can't in good conscience be responsible for someone's demise, even David's. Thank you for not ending his life. Thank you for understanding how important it was to me.”
My Assassin Lover Page 19